We're going to need a new axle on locomotive 93 our 2-8-0. The current axle is stamped 12-08. The locomotive came on the property 1-09. (Call's to ALCO's warranty service have gone unanswered.)

We have a machine shop that will do the work. My question is does the tire need to come off the wheel before the axle is removed?

Then I'm guessing if the tire needs to come off before an axle change, then it is not put on until after the axle is installed. Comments?

Also does anyone know if there is a quartering machine and a wheel press available? Even if they are in rough condition, I'd be interested in knowing about availability. There is another axle on 93 that is also stamped 12-08. Then there’s the axles on locomotives 40 & 81 that will need attention.

It was considered best practice to remove the tires as with the tire on the wheel center in in compression. There are charts for the proper tonnage for pressing axles onto wheel centers. Is this wheel center cast iron or steel? That also makes a difference with tonnage as cast iron centers can be cracked with too much tonnage both for pressing off the old axle or pressing on the new. Most machine shops will not be be liable if something is broken in pressing operations. If the work exactly followed the old axle as to quarter then the crankpins might not need replaced if sufficent service metal was available when machined for quartering.
Crankpins or crankpin holes can be machined and quartered in a horizontal boring mill with a rotary table and fixture to hold the wheel set. We did that on GR#10 at Sacramento with very acurrate results. As far as I know the are three quartering machines in the USA two Niles and one British machine located at TVRM, GCRR, DSNGRR.
The Chinese have quarter machines copied from the Niles type. There should be some available new year no prices yet most are smaller that the USA Niles crankpins not large than 9 1/4" and swings at 70" & 84"
also the voltage is 380V 50hz
I would also suggest that you have someone work with the machine shop that is knowledgable in this type of work and to witness the pres fit tonnage

Why is the axle condemable? Is it worn undersize? I forget what the FRA regs are on axles specifically, but I believe it is .750 under original spec before an axle must be replaced? I saw the axle in question in september and other than some roughness on the journal surface all else seemed in order. Is there not enough material to merely turn the surface? Hope this is of some help.

Stathi Pappas

In the process of the machining the axle we found a crack just like the one in the CFR. And since we found one crack on an original axle, we think there is a possiblity that the other original axle could have a crack.

So we are putting together a repair plan that drops all of the axles, addresses crown brasses, driving boxes, crankpins, spring rigging etc, etc, etc.

.

Here is a photo of 2-8-0 #93 in the East Ely shop:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 7&nseq=113

And here is a recent photo of 4-6-0 #40 which, like #93, will also be needing axle work:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 1&nseq=195

Major work, but hopefully, NN will be getting the two back in service yet this year.

Les

For those who may have missed the Flimsies post (5 Mar. '08), three additional photos of NN 93 sans drivers accompany the project update penned by Mark Bassett.

http://nevadanorthernrailway.net/thrott ... 030508.htm

Mark,
I would have TVRM quote you for doing the work. They have rebuilt the driver sets For Mid-Continent Ry Museum' WC&C #1, including welding up the wheel centers, turning the centers, installing new Tires and Turning them to size. They have the experance and the Quatering machine to do exacting work.
Often when the axle is replaces, the wheel will be found to need repair and truing before installing the new axle and they have done this for us.

Dave Wantz

I have seen a photo of a Duluth & Northeastern 2-8-0, dated 1963, with a flame ring going on its rear engineer side driver, with the rods still attached, and the flames licking at the ashpan and air tanks. What is this all about, and what could be accomplished with the rods still attached? The caption says "changing a tire", but I don't see how that would be accomplished with the side rods in the way, and isn't all that flame going to damage bearings, gaskets, joints, etc.?

.

When QJ 7040 was recieving its wheel work at the Chinese 701 factory last year While inspecting the wheel/axle/ crankpin work. I ask the machine shop foreman how much time it required them to remachine all five sets of drivers. To turn and roll the axles,face the hub liners, turn all 10 tires. Turn and roll all the crankpin plus replace two crankpins with new one this work only required 3 days total. This shows what a well equipped shop doing the same work again and again can accomplish. These times are about what is shown in the Cyclopedia RR shop time studys.